Category: Philippines

On my way back from Davao City in broad daylight, I just cannot help but appreciate in wonder the beauty of the green mountains, blue skies, and cottony white clouds.

The following photos I am sharing were taken by my not so high-powered camera phone. But I was really awed so I just click and click while the bus goes down the road. I

I wish the bus was more taller than it was so I could fully enjoy the mountain scenes at a distance without any obstacle of any objects from my view.

There were several road works along the way, so we were stuck in a long queue of vehicles. But instead of getting annoyed of the delay, I just enjoyed clicking as well as my phone’s game keeps me occupied.

That green thing up there looks like a green giraffe or a green reptile looking for something on the ground.

This weekend was spent reconnecting with nature. The Kanchenjunga Group went out on a weekend trip to Zamboanga del Sur.

A convoy of 4 vehicles happily left Iligan City, excited to spend the Sabbath morning at Pagadian Center then later to proceed to Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

This is not my first time but still the picturesque view amazes me.

The last time I came here was in 2014 during the AMCI Strategic Planning. The place where we stayed was not yet up during that time. This time, tourists can have the choice of being accommodated in a dormitory type accommodation.

They have 3 houses for the dormitory type accommodation and it can accommodate up to 24 persons. Though one has to walk up a bit (200 meters up) from the main area, but still it was okey.

If the visitor will have a hard time to make that walk, they can bring their vehicle up to the Adventure area gate and disembark from there. Then the walk up 30 steps to the door of the dorm.

Each dorm has its corresponding kitchen. So the group can cook rice in an electric cooker and they can also conveniently grilled their meats. The water supply was not a problem.

There are two rates in the dormitory accommodation. Php 450 for a no free breakfast and no towel accommodation and Php 650 per head an accommodation with free breakfast and a towel.

It was raining hard while traveling from Pagadian to the resort. Fortunately, it stopped when we arrived in the site. But after a couple of hours, it rained again!

The view of the lake is so breathtaking. Viewing it from different viewing angles inside the resort, the balcony view was not inferior.

In spite of the rainy afternoon, we caught a glimpse of the sunset mode. It was not a dramatic mixture of color, but it was enough to sigh a thankful praise to the Lord for giving us the opportunity to reconnect with nature, a pause of our hectic city life.

Sunset means a day has ended and another day is nigh.

At the end of this day, I have so much to thank the Lord:

The protection and care during our travel,
The time spent at Pagadian Central Church,
The yummy FREE lunch,
The beautiful Lakewood place.

During my birthday last month, I went on a birthday trip to Siquijor. Thanks to Alex, for helping me make the trip possible.

Iligan City is still 5 hrs away from Dapitan, so we are leaving the night before our journey to Dapitan. Dapitan is our jump off point to Dumaguete en route to Siquijor. Hoping to arrive Siquijor that same day we traveled from Dapitan.

We left Iligan, Friday afternoon, after my work. We took the bus going to Mukas since it will take a longer time to wait for the bus that goes direct to Ozamis. I had a booking at the Western Mindanao Conference guesthouse so I was confident that we will have a good sleep before we start the long journey the next day.

This is our accommodation for the night:

we stayed in a room where eight couples can be accommodated. So you can just imagine how comfortable we are. I had one bed for me and the other one for alex. I almost had a hard time dragging myself out of bed that morning because the mattress is just so firm enough and the pillows are fluffy. I can really spell C O M F O R T A B L E correctly! Thank you my friend, Mr. WMC President for that overnight accommodation.

After we left the campus, we decided to have breakfast before proceeding to the terminal.

One Saturday afternoon, I joined my IBS family in going around the town to take photos of government offices for Google mapping. I cannot forget that day because of what I wore to the “event” lol! I should have been informed that the attire is casual because we will still go out to take pictures. I was thinking we will spent our time at the Chamber’s office to map 😀 Hindi pala. Mag picture lang so…hmmm…I looked funny!

Anyway, from Saray, we took a jeepney to the city hall. I had several photos taken but let me just share a few.

The famous Anahaw Theater. This place is often use for presentations especially during city fiesta. I’ve never been down there. This was still my second time to really come this close.

Still of the Anahaw Theater (the half part)

“Welcome to Iligan City” It is my first time to see this marker. I never knew this exist. I then asked them, why is this place here? When it feels like it is in the suok (corner) They said that on the way up to the city hall, this side can be seen from the road.

I still have to try though if makita ba talaga.

Next is the way to the Tourism Office. I can say Kamingaw sa payag. The place is close because it is a weekend.

See that signage to Youth Affairs office? I commented on why it’s there and why in a paper or cardboard? They said, it’s a temporary daw. Then they commented that this particular office is often transferred from one place to another. Oh well, I hope the place they are in now will be permanent so they gonna have a permanent signage, too.

The playground. We saw a playground right across the tourism office. I bet this is a favorite spot for kids when they stroll in the area. Not just kids actually but for young couplers. Oh my on the couplers or young people dating.

The place is really conducive for dating and if unsupervised lots of things can happen there. No guards roam the area so it is really free zone for those who want a bit privacy in a public place.

I cannot say that the whole place (City Hall) is awesome for tourist but at least it can be a haven for family strolls.

So if you are in the area during weekend, take some time to stroll the whole area. If you do briskwalk, it’s a bit enough to make you sweat.